"DNR’s lease termination, announced in a surprise filing during the late afternoon hours on Friday, December 15, just 10 days before Christmas, was based on erroneous and outdated information about the condition of the facility," said the company.

“The Department of Natural Resources, then led by Commissioner [of Public Lands Hilary] Franz’s predecessor, approved the transfer of those farm leases at that time and raised no concerns or objections to the manner in which Cooke’s predecessor company was managing the leased aquatic area," said Cooke Public Relations VP Joel Richardson. "We can only assume that the recent decision to terminate the Port Angeles lease is based upon misinformation or a misunderstanding of the facts and history related to this site.”

Cooke representatives hope to meet with Franz later this month.

“While we regret the need to file suit before meeting with the commissioner, we were required to do so in order to protect the company’s legal rights,” Richardson said, adding that Cooke hopes to find a solution for both parties. "If those issues cannot be amicably resolved by dialogue with the commissioner then we are prepared to assert our legal rights by way of the judicial system.”

"DNR’s lease termination, announced in a surprise filing during the late afternoon hours on Friday, December 15, just 10 days before Christmas, was based on erroneous and outdated information about the condition of the facility," said the company.

“The Department of Natural Resources, then led by Commissioner [of Public Lands Hilary] Franz’s predecessor, approved the transfer of those farm leases at that time and raised no concerns or objections to the manner in which Cooke’s predecessor company was managing the leased aquatic area," said Cooke Public Relations VP Joel Richardson. "We can only assume that the recent decision to terminate the Port Angeles lease is based upon misinformation or a misunderstanding of the facts and history related to this site.”

Cooke representatives hope to meet with Franz later this month.

“While we regret the need to file suit before meeting with the commissioner, we were required to do so in order to protect the company’s legal rights,” Richardson said, adding that Cooke hopes to find a solution for both parties. "If those issues cannot be amicably resolved by dialogue with the commissioner then we are prepared to assert our legal rights by way of the judicial system.”